Gov. Ted Strickland's re-election campaign hasn't wavered from the message that his Republican opponent, John Kasich, cost Ohio jobs when he was a congressman by supporting the North American Free Trade Agreement and overseas trade deals, especially with China.

A Strickland TV ad, "Truth," sticks to the theme with claims that have been posted on the campaign's website:

The ad says voting for NAFTA, which took effect in 1994 and eliminated most trade barriers between Canada, Mexico and the United States, cost the state 49,000 jobs to Mexico. It says 91,000 Ohio jobs were lost to China because of Kasich’s vote in 2000 to normalize trade relations with China.

PolitiFact Ohio wondered if the effect of the trade deals on jobs was so clear-cut - and if the numbers can be determined so specifically. You can see the full story, and the ad, there. Then come back here to comment.

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